One of the chief issues facing local governments as they contend with regulation of short-term rental marketplaces is the trouble of enforcing whatever framework they develop. After passing tough regulations last week, the...more

In recent years, online vacation rental sites have made great inroads into the hospitality industry. Given their infancy and business model, however, they have gone largely unregulated, particularly when it comes to taxes....more

The Guinean State Minister of Mines and Geology, Kerfalla Yansané, recently announced a possible launch of a bidding round in 2015 for offshore oil blocks in Guinea under the new hydrocarbons code (the “New Code”). Following...more

Last year representatives of a coalition of 11 organizations started meeting to discuss the continued development and expansion of Oklahoma City’s bioscience and technology sectors. Among other matters, the group discussed...more

The IRS recently released Notice 2015-4 (the Notice), which provides performance and quality standards that small wind energy property (defined under section 48(c)(4) of the Code as property utilizing a “qualifying small wind...more

Indiana’s leaders have worked diligently over the past ten years to improve the climate for business. Taxes have been capped, cut, and eliminated. Out of date laws have been repealed or reformed, and new regulations have...more

As market sentiment and investor confidence in Australia's extractive industries remains subdued, recent initiatives from governments and regulators demonstrate, at least, an acknowledgment of the issues faced by mineral...more

Online vacation rental marketplace HomeAway Inc. has filed suit against the City and County of San Francisco in an attempt to block a new law restricting home rentals in the City. HomeAway is requesting an injunction to...more

It is a basic, universally accepted fact that in order for an area to win new recruitment projects—and in some cases retain expansions of an existing company facility that will be on a site other than its current...more

On September 29, 2014, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Senate Bill 628 (Chapter 785) which provides a mechanism for cities and counties to form Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts (EIFDs) to divert property tax...more

On September 29, Governor Brown signed legislation that is seen as creating a robust new financing tool which will expand the existing mechanism of Infrastructure Financing Districts (“IFDs”) and replicate some of the...more

Until recently, California’s state-level economic development cupboard was looking a little bare — its 400 redevelopment agencies were dissolved in February 2012, property tax increment financing has been discontinued and...more

Historically, most local economic development efforts, or regional efforts among a group of counties, have focused on business recruitment. These efforts have generally been focused on large business recruitment projects. ...more

On June 5, 2014, the U.S. Department of Treasury Community Development Financial Institution Fund (CDFI) announced that 87 Community Development Entities have been selected to receive $3.5 billion in New Market Tax Credit...more

There’s been a lot of press about places that are unfriendly to gamers or game developers. Authorities in various jurisdictions have attempted to address issues of violence, sex, and gambling, either resident in or allegedly...more

The application cycle for up to $750 million in New York economic development incentives is due soon. Whether a business is currently operating in New York (the Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) Initiative) or...more

For some time now, we have reported on the growing trend in California of counties collecting documentary transfer tax for transfers of interests in legal entities holding real property in California. This update of a DLA...more

Purpose of the CRIZ Program -
Act 52 of 2013 created the City Revitalization and Improvement Zone (“CRIZ”) Program. The purpose of this program is stimulate economic development and job creation in Pennsylvania's...more

In its recently issued opinion in the case of Route 231, LLC v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 2014-30 (2/24/14), the United States Tax Court (the “Court”) held that a transfer of state tax credits to a 1% member who had contributed...more

The Supplemental Budget just released by the Legislature (LD 1843), if passed as written, may hurt Pine Tree Zone Business as well as businesses that engage in a substantial amount of research and development in Maine....more

SDLT is to be replaced in Scotland by a new tax known as the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax ("LBTT"). LBTT is being introduced under the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Scotland) Act 2013, and will come into effect on...more

The Internal Revenue Service has announced in Notice 2014-9 that current refunding issues of Recovery Zone Facility Bonds qualify as tax-exempt provided that the current refunding issue meets certain requirements. Generally,...more

During its 2012 legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly passed HB 987, a bill which required that the ten separate EPA-licensed storm sewer system (“MS4”) jurisdictions in Maryland (Baltimore City and nine...more

On September 30, 2013 President Putin signed new Federal Law No. 268-FZ (Amending Law) introducing amendments into Parts I and II of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation, as well as the Law of the Russian Federation “On the...more

This article examines the constitutionality and possible implications of the plan being considered in several parts of the country to use the power of eminent domain to seize "underwater mortgages". The plan has been...more

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